Sarasota lifestyle took an abrupt turn last week, when Old Man Winter shot Sarasota a frigid (but thoroughly enjoyable) blast…that continues to delight.
Sarasota lifestyle transforms into Winter Wonderland with record-setting "weather" performance!
First, let me apologize to snowbirds and tourists who escaped to Sarasota to thaw out.
You expected warm, sunny beach weather, didn’t you?
I’m sorry to say you found the sun but not the warm.
I’m also sorry to say I LOVE this winter blast. Yesterday morning, my son bundled up (with the heaviest jacket he has) and checked out a bird feeder.
To his surprise, the water had turned to ice and the grass was crunchy. “How did this happen,” came the words from a young boy not familiar with cold, ice or snow. 
For a moment, he didn’t know what to think. He’s not experienced this strange (burning) cold before.
For those of us who live here year round, this is a delightful, refreshing (and unexpected) gift.
We endure hot and humid Florida summers, roasting me during my daily run. Now I get a chance to “freeze” (for just a few days, and I LOVE it though I sincerely feel for citrus farmers and fish nurseries).
How cold has it been for over 2 weeks? You know it’s cold when a couple from Canada (meeting me to see one of my listings) couldn’t stop shivering. When Canadians think it’s cold, it must be cold.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...all around Sarasota!
In our front yard, we took advantage of the “freezing” rain and my wife’s artistic abilities to sculpt a little ice carriage.
HeHe, just kidding...this remarkable ice creation is just a part of the jaw-dropping annual experience called ICE at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando...magical & cold!
Tonight, the weather forecast warned us (especially citrus farmers) about a hard freeze below 27 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 hours . Apparently, never in recorded history has Sarasota experienced as many “cold” days with tonight dipping into the 20’s.
Ironically, my wife and I moved to Florida from Nebraska back in 1988. That year, it SNOWED in Florida. At the time, my wife and I were angry. We didn’t move to Florida for more cold (and snow). We moved to escape Nebraska winters. We didn’t appreciate what was happening.
The other night, my kids heard local FOX TV’s meteorologist Paul Dellegatto forecast snow flurries. You’d think my kids had just won the Florida Lottery.
You see, it’s all relative. If you endure “real” winter weather where you live, you have to understand we (native) Floridians are a bunch of wimps. We barely own jackets, let alone coats.
To watch the news is to think Sarasota NEVER has experienced “cold.” With a little cold weather, a person feels alive. Try a nice walk with deep breaths. Feel that refreshing (humidity FREE air) fill your lungs. Catch a whiff of all the fireplaces.
It’s beautiful!
To banish me from Sarasota for inviting this winter weather to Sarasota, go below & drop me a comment. If you have a question about buying or selling a house in Sarasota, call or email me….
Sarasota lifestyle just got better with this year’s record-setting low temperatures. Don’t worry, Nebraskans or Minnesotans or even New Yorkers, we’ll never share your winter horror stories of 20′ snow drifts…or tire chains…or slip sliding around…or having an arctic blast rip through your lungs in the 20-seconds of grabbing your mail from the box right outside your front door.
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